Dick Chen glanced over Ma Wu’s proposal and casually set it aside on the desk, his face still wearing a contemptuous, mocking smile. "It’s my first time coming, coming here. What’s it called again?"
His secretary beside him reminded, "This place is called Puluo State."
The secretary was quite attractive, with a fair complexion and full cheeks. She sported a bob haircut and wore rimless glasses. Her plump, ’Fatty Peach’ figure was perched such that only a third of her rested on the chair, exuding the unique efficiency and frosty demeanor of a professional woman.
"Puluo... State," Dick Chen said with some difficulty. "This name is really a bit of a tongue twister. I’m just going to call it Pu State here. Everyone should be fine with that, right?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Wu’s cheeks twitched.
The last time they met, Dick Chen had said he couldn’t remember the name Puluo State, and now he was saying he still couldn’t remember.
Not only could he not remember, but he also changed the name.
The Account Manager sitting nearby, his pen trembling slightly, was almost at the point of losing his patience.
But Dick Chen didn’t see anything wrong with it, continuing, "I know Pu State is a very backward place, but I didn’t expect it to be this primitive.
"Mr. Ma, you’re listing out your price list right now. Do you really think we can close this deal with just this one negotiation?"
However, Dick Chen didn’t see it that way. "We’re in an era of information and data," he said. "I need to compare different pieces of information to determine whether you have any value as a business partner."
Ma Wu asked, "If you think I’m not valuable, why did you approach me to do business in the first place?"
Dick Chen spread his hands. "Because there are not many options in Pu State. To put it precisely, not a single person here has modern business knowledge. I can only pick the least ignorant from a bunch of ignoramuses.
"Mr. Ma, if you really want your business to make a breakthrough, to escape the backwater of Pu State, I suggest you go out and see the world. At the very least, you need to understand the concepts of data and information."
To Ma Wu, and indeed to all People of Puluo State, the concepts of data and information were quite vague.
Yet it was these two vague concepts that directly demeaned Ma Wu’s standing, causing him to become so angry that veins throbbed on his forehead and he was rendered speechless.
Li Banfeng wasn’t angry. He asked Dick Chen, "What methods do you usually use to acquire data and information?"
Dick Chen smiled. "Let me put it simply, since you may not even know the concept of the internet. On the internet, I can get most of the information I need."
Li Banfeng said, "We also have our channels for information. We have newspapers."
Dick Chen shook his head. "That is way outdated. That’s a media format from the last century; it should have been sent to a museum long ago.
"And I’ve also seen your newspapers. There’s too much fluff in that information, far too little credibility."
Li Banfeng nodded. "The credibility of Puluo State’s newspapers may not be very high—perhaps only three out of ten stories are true. But if, as you say, not even one out of a hundred pieces of information on the internet may be true, then what’s there to boast about using it as an information channel?"
Dick Chen frowned slightly. "What’s the basis for your claim? Have you ever had access to the internet?"
Li Banfeng laughed. "In Puluo State, not just anyone is qualified to have their words published in the newspapers.
"But in the Outside Provinces, anyone can spout nonsense on the internet. How credible do you think the internet is then?"
Dick Chen shook his head. "You seem to have some understanding of the internet, but I am shocked by your way of thinking. You actually compare newspapers to the internet, which clearly shows how outdated and backward your thoughts are.
"My way of speaking might be rather direct, but I don’t mean to offend you; I’m just trying to express my genuine thoughts.
"Mr. Li, the backwardness and isolation of your Pu State determine my attitude towards you. This is a reflection of objective facts, not my subjective discrimination. Do you understand what I mean?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "That person... what’s-his-name... I still don’t understand what you’re saying."
Dick Chen frowned. "I have a first and last name. Please don’t call me ’that person.’ That’s the least respect you could show me."
Li Banfeng asked earnestly, "What’s your name again?"
Dick Chen’s cheeks twitched, but he still maintained a faint smile. "My name is Dick Chen, and I hope you can remember it."
"Your last name is Dick?"
Dick Chen’s cheeks twitched again. "Mr. Li, perhaps you’re not familiar with other languages. In my language, the surname customarily goes after the given name."
"Oh, so your last name is Chen?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "That name isn’t good. It’s not local, not foreign; it sounds out of place.
"Since you want to pass as a Foreigner so badly, I’ll give you a nice-sounding Foreigner name. I’ll call you Sakdik. You don’t mind, do you?"
Dick Chen wasn’t smiling anymore. Sakdik was an insult. "Mr. Li, was what you just said intentional or unintentional?"
"Intentional," Li Banfeng said frankly. "I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m humiliating you. Can’t you tell, Sakdik?"
Dick Chen clenched his fist, ready to slam it on the table.
Li Banfeng warned, "If you break the table, I’ll chop off your hand."
Dick Chen clenched his fist tighter, and Li Banfeng laughed. "If you make a fist at me again, I’ll chop off your hand too. It’s nothing personal; that’s just how direct we are in Puluo State."
Dick Chen unclenched his fist, took his secretary, and got up to leave.
Ma Wu had booked a private room for himself. He was downing drink after drink, brooding over his liquor.